10 easy and surprising at-home remedies for sunburns

With summer in full swing, each of us has to be on the lookout for that one dreaded danger: sunburn.

Despite our best efforts, we will often find ourselves with painful, red sunburn, quickly turning a summer of fun into a summer of discomfort.

But I was thrilled to find that just as there are simple, at-home remedies for chapped lips, there are also a number of easy ways to soothe and treat sunburn using common items from around the house. Other than putting ice on my burns, I had never heard of any of these hacks before!

I had no idea my refrigerator held so many solutions — from cucumbers to strawberries to potatoes. Who knew that putting strawberries on your sunburn could ease the pain and speed up the healing process?

Scroll through below for an exclusive look at 10 brilliant at-home treatments for painful sunburn. Before popping pain pills, I'll definitely be giving these a try!

11PHOTOS

Sunburn: 10 Easy And Surprising At-Home Remedies

See Gallery

Sunburn: 10 Easy And Surprising At-Home Remedies

Remedy #1: Tea Bags

While many people have tried putting tea bags on their eyes to reduce puffiness, they can also be helpful at providing sunburn relief.

Simply soak black tea bags in cool water and place them on the sunburnt areas — whether the eyelids or anywhere else.

Love to Know writes, “Black tea will remove the heat, pain, and sting of your skin, all while leaving a toasty warm glow.”

Remedy #2: Cucumbers

It might look silly, but the cooling power of a cucumber can be extremely effective against painful sunburn.

You can either place slices directly on the burn, or mash it up in a blender and apply the paste.

Everyday Roots writes, “However you do it, the swelling, redness, and pain should diminish soon.”

Remedy #3: Oatmeal

According to Livestrong.com, “Oats are high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them perfect for soothing irritated, itchy sunburned skin.”

All you have to do is cook the oatmeal like normal and allow it to cool before applying. Don’t rub it in, but simply let it sit on the sunburn until you are ready to rinse it off.

Remedy #4: Yogurt

When you are in a pinch and the only thing handy is yogurt, you are definitely in luck!

Cosmopolitan suggests you let the cold yogurt sit on your sunburn for about 10 minutes.

They say the yogurt “contains a lot of probiotics that will help restore your skin’s natural barrier.”

Remedy #5: Potatoes

According to Everyday Roots, “Potatoes have been known as a pain reliever throughout the years, working particularly well on minor skin irritations and soothing scratches, bites, and burns, as well as possibly reducing inflammation.”

So just grate up some potatoes, place them in a blender, and dab the paste on your sunburn with a cotton ball to find the relief you seek!

Remedy #6: Strawberries

Similar to cucumbers, strawberries can be placed on your sunburn in sliced form or in mashed paste form. Both can be effective in relieving pain.

Sunburn Treatment Pros writes, “Strawberries have tannic acid, which can help take the sting out of a sunburn.”

Remedy #7: Milk

Dabbing milk on your sunburn can be extremely helpful in fighting it.

Self.com writes, “The fat, protein, and pH of milk have a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.”

They even suggest mixing the milk with ice water to provide colder, soothing temperatures for the burn.

Remedy #8: Ice

One of the fastest and most effective ways to ease your sunburn pain is with ice (or at least icy temperatures).

Prevention.com suggests anything from an ice pack to a bag of frozen vegetables in order to provide relief!

Remedy #9: Honey

Honey may be a sticky solution, but it is also an effective one!

According to Parents.com, “The sticky stuff’s been used as a topical burn salve since Egyptian days.”

Dr. Kathi Kemper tells Parents.com, “Studies suggest it may work better than some antibiotic creams at speeding up healing, reducing infection, and minimizing pain.”

Remedy #10: Water

And perhaps the most important tip of all? Drink tons and tons of water!

Sunburn Treatment Pros writes, “Whenever your skin is sun damaged, you will need to drink as much water as possible to keep your skin hydrated.”

They suggest “eight glasses a day, eight ounces a glass.”

Each of these unique at-home sunburn hacks can help to ease the pain and set you on a path to healing even faster.

Up Next

See Gallery

Discover More Like This

of

SEE ALL

BACK TO SLIDE

SHOW CAPTION
+

HIDE CAPTION
–

And, of course, if your sunburn is severe or extremely painful, make sure you take a trip to your doctor right away.

Which of these brilliant tips have worked for you before? What other at-home remedies for sunburn would you suggest? Let us know in the comments.